Reaching Bahamas early helped team qualify for 2024 Paris Olympics, says Indian 4x400m relay anchor Amoj Jacob

The Indian men’s 4x400m relay team, comprising Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Muhammed Ajmal, Arokia Rajiv and Amoj Jacob, clocked 3:03.23 to secure their berth in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The quartet finished behind the United States of America in the Olympic Qualifying Round 2 of the World Relays Championship in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Coached by Jamaican Jason Dawson and financially supported by Sports Authority of India (SAI), the team reached The Bahamas a month ahead of the event to acclimatise themselves and the results were for everyone to see.

In a freewheeling chat with SAI Media, Amoj Jacob, who ran the anchor leg, spoke about qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the team’s magical show and more in the World Athletics Championships, where they broke the sub-3-minute mark twice, finishing fifth.

Excerpts:

How much of a difference did the month-long stay in the US and the Bahamas help?

The acclimatisation in the Bahamas was very useful. The time zone difference would have made things difficult for us. We were unable to sleep or recover well. It was good that we went a month earlier. And we were all ready for the competition two weeks prior. Then we worked out, got there and qualified.

How do you define the experience of qualifying for Paris 2024?

The experience was really good, as last year we clocked sub-3 minute times. Our target was to register a time between 3:00 and 3:10 so that our confidence is high going into the Paris Olympics. We reached the Bahamas a month prior to the World Relays. Other teams reached Nassau just a week ahead of the event.

My body took almost a week to adapt to the weather conditions and time difference there. I was sleeping in the afternoon and not being able to sleep at night due to the time zone change. The entire team encountered the same problem and it was good that we reached the Bahamas a month earlier.

Our main target was to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was unfortunate that Rajesh Ramesh suffered a hamstring injury in the Olympic Qualifying Round 1. Else, the team could have comfortably clocked below 3-minute time. Despite the setback, we were able to book our berth for the Olympics. That is highly motivating.

How did the team adapt to Rajesh Ramesh’s absence?

It was easy because we were practising together. We had trained the baton exchange with different combinations. The only concern was to ensure that no one else got injured. In fact, it is easier than the 100m relay, where better coordination is required. It was an easy transition for us. And because Rajiv was with us for a long time, as he was in the camp, he was our senior. So, he knew what to expect and what not. And it was easy only.

After the Budapest high, how did you deal with the pressure of expectations?

There was no such pressure now but it was immense pressure during the World Championships final and in the Asian Games. We knew that we had the USA challenging us in our heats and they mostly run below the three-minute mark. So, our plan was to stay close to them in the race, which will not only improve our time but also help us qualify for the Paris Games.